"Today in northern Nigeria, many people are living in fear and many young people are afraid to become pastors because pastors' lives are in great danger," he said.
"When bandits or kidnappers realize that their victims are priests or pastors, it seems a violent spirit does take over their heart to demand more ransom and in some cases go to the extent of killing the victim."
ACI Africa, CNA's African news partner, reported that on Jan 10 Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja said that the abductions would give the country "a bad name" internationally.
"Left unchecked by the Nigerian authorities, this shameful and disgusting act will continue to give Nigeria a bad name and scare away visitors and investors to the country," he said.
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Releasing its annual World Watch List report last week, the advocacy group Open Doors said that security in Nigeria had deteriorated to the point that the country had entered the top 10 worst countries for the persecution of Christians.
In December, the U.S. State Department listed Nigeria among the worst countries for religious freedom, describing the West African nation as a "country of particular concern."
This is a formal designation reserved for nations where the worst violations of religious freedom are taking place, the other countries being China, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia.
The step was praised by the leadership of the Knights of Columbus.
Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said that "Nigeria's Christians have suffered grievously at the hands of Boko Haram and other groups."
He suggested that the murders and kidnappings of Christians in Nigeria "verge on genocide."
He said: "The Christians of Nigeria, both Catholic and Protestant, deserve attention, recognition, and relief now. Nigeria's Christians should be able to live in peace and practice their faith without fear."
(Story continues below)
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A version of this story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA's African news partner. It has been adapted by CNA.